What is the BIOS?

BIOS is an acronym for Basic Input Output System.

The BIOS on a PC is often referred to as FIRMWARE, which is software that
is programmed onto a Read Only Memory (ROM) chip.

The function of the BIOS is to initialize the motherboard hardware and
other peripherals, and loading the operating system. Many of the Plug-n-
Play and Power Management functions are handled by the BIOS.

The BIOS has specific functions, often referred to as BIOS " I/O
functions" or "calls", which the operating system and application
software uses to carry out tasks or get information on system resources.
The BIOS then communicates directly with the hardware to carry out the
functions. This is how the BIOS isolates the details of a particular
hardware implementation from the operating system or application
software.

The BIOS is very specifically designed to the hardware platform. A BIOS
designed for one system generally will not operate properly (if at all)
on another system unless the two systems are identical in design. Simply
put, the BIOS is like a "fingerprint".